ISPR says 10 attackers, including a woman, killed in Gwadar; one civilian dead

GWADAR: The military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement issued on Friday that security forces killed 10 terrorists, including a woman, during operations in Gwadar district. According to the statement, one civilian was killed and several vehicles were damaged in the attacks. No security personnel were killed or injured.

The ISPR said the attacks were carried out on Thursday at the Gabd border crossing and in Gwadar city. It linked the attackers to “Fitna al-Hindustan”, which it described as sponsored by India. The ISPR said the terrorists wanted to harm the very people they claim to represent and to obstruct the development of Balochistan. Security forces carried out clearance operations in the city and surrounding areas to protect residents and clear the area. According to the statement, peace has been restored in the area.

The ISPR alleged that a Baloch woman was forced to take part in the attack. It called this a crime not only against the state but also against the honour of Baloch women. According to the military, the aim of using women for propaganda is to inflame public sentiment and give the terrorists’ campaign a false justification. The military did not give the woman’s identity or details of how she came to take part in the attack. India has denied such allegations in the past.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for foiling the attack and expressed sorrow over the death of the civilian. He said efforts to disturb the peace and stability of Balochistan would not weaken the people’s resolve for progress.

A day earlier, three terrorists were killed in Gwadar as an attempted attack on an empty camp of a construction company was foiled. A separate operation was under way against terrorists hiding in a hotel near the Gwadar highway.

The attacks came a few days after trade with Iran through two crossings was suspended over security concerns. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said on Tuesday that the border had been reopened. The ISPR said the counterterrorism campaign under “Azm-e-Istehkam” would continue.